Chapter 216: Treasure Vault
“I don’t understand the meaning of this.”
“It’s a four-centimeter body to make it easier for the Master to hold!” Ex-Staff replied cheerfully.
Though it’s called a “body,” it can actually change to a thickness that suits my needs for the task at hand. This must be what they call a “shift,” so I should try not to change its thickness too often.
He claims that as long as he’s being used as a knocking stick, he’s fine, but the thought of him gradually losing his sense of self like the branches here is terrifying.
“What happens when you consider the ease of use for the ‘King’s Branch’?”
“It’s currently making a big splash as a knocking stick.”
Honestly, it’s incredibly convenient and I can’t let it go.
“Human desires are quite varied, aren’t they?”
The guiding Spirit casually remarked, but Karn had a very grim expression.
“I’m aware that I’m out of alignment. So, I want to confirm if it’s really okay for me to destroy the ‘King’s Branch.'”
“…”
I looked up at Karn, who had fallen silent.
He was larger than Dean, both in height and width. I could imagine his thick chest, sturdy neck, and even through his armor, I could picture his well-defined abs. Damn, everyone’s growing up so well!
“Normally, there wouldn’t be anyone foolish enough to cross this desert. However, now is the time for the main Gods to change, and a summoned Hero might come to this desert. Changes among the Spirits living here may also occur…”
Ah, so the transition period is about the replacement of Spirits. It’s also a turning point for humanity. The environment is likely to change drastically in a short time.
“The Hero’s protector is the Light Spirit. I can’t imagine this place turning green and attracting people.”
“Oh, so it’s the Light Spirit? I heard that previously it was the retainers of Ice and Darkness, and recently there have been rumors about the Light Spirit, Earth Spirit, Water Spirit, and Fire Spirit—there’s been so much back and forth about which retainer summoned them and gained power. But indeed, the name of the Light retainer has come up quite often.”
The guiding Spirit shrugged, indicating that such information rarely flowed this far.
Huh? Could it be Rishu and the Gods…? Well, whatever, it’s not a lie.
“There’s a gap before the new summoner’s Spirit gains power. During that time, other Spirits might also gain strength.”
“That’s true.”
I nodded in agreement with Karn’s words.
“The fact that you’ve come here is some kind of fate; you’re the right one. There’s a lamp in the room; burn the ‘King’s Branch’ with that fire. It’s so hard that even a regular, no, even a Spirit Sword can’t cut it, but it’s weak to fire.”
Karn glanced at his Great Sword.
I wonder if he’s ever tried to cut it with that sword?
“Why are we using fire only in here?”
Up until now, the Light Spirit’s resting place had been illuminated. Why bring fire into this room with branches?
“Of course, it’s to burn it. I intended to settle this with my own hands, but look at the state of things.”
“It’s a special fire given by the Fire Spirits summoned by the Priests during a ritual.”
The guiding Spirit added.
It seems this fire is anything but ordinary. And at this stage, it seems Karn has become possessed.
“By the way, why is the guiding Spirit cooperating?”
“I’m Karn’s contracted Spirit, you know, from such a young age.”
She smiled, raising both index fingers to indicate her size, which was a bit cute.
“You’re no longer small enough for me to bind with my magic, yet for some reason, Baylis doesn’t run away.”
Karn chuckled wryly; the guiding Spirit is apparently named Baylis.
“The old ties resurface, but you don’t know them. Don’t be swayed by the appearance of the Spirit before it went mad; burn it without hesitation.”
Karn’s laughter faded as he sealed his lips, speaking in a voice that was not loud but strong.
“Understood.”
As I nodded, Karn readied his Great Sword and placed a hand on the stone door.
“Ex-Staff, it’ll be dangerous when the fire ignites, so I’ll put you away.”
“Sure thing, Master!”
I had him shrink down to about thirty centimeters and tucked him into my coat, diagonally behind my waist. I had made a proper holster for Ex-Staff.
Beyond the door lay the treasure vault. However, the first thing that caught my eye was a decorated pale stone cup, with a blazing fire inside. The cup was centered, surrounded by a Magic Circle drawn on the floor, and there were black Demon Beasts resembling human figures positioned at equal intervals.
From their appearance, they must have been former Priests; this is terrifying.
“That burning iron should be placed into the ‘King’s Branch.'”
Baylis whispered in my ear. Upon closer inspection, I noticed a metal rod thrust into the roaring flames.
The decayed-robed Priests, with their hollow eye sockets, were staring at us—no, at Karn.
“The King has returned; stand down!”
Karn roared, causing them to tremble and freeze in place.
Unlike Karn, they couldn’t suppress the black Spirit that possessed them at all. But perhaps, just a little, they retained some awareness, as they seemed to react to Karn.
“Go.”
Karn said briefly, and I approached the fire.
The nearest Priest suddenly lunged at me, but Karn swiftly cut him down in one stroke. Even so, he wasn’t dead and continued to crawl, while the other Priests began chanting something unintelligible.
I hurriedly grabbed the iron rod. It’s hot! If I had done this barehanded, I would have suffered severe burns. Thank goodness I was wearing gloves. It was something I should have realized, but my mind wasn’t working properly.
From the stone chest that had been avoided to draw the Magic Circle, gold coins and golden ornaments spilled onto the floor. Among them were stone tablets, beautifully adorned gems, swords, shields, and books displayed on pedestals.
Something flew at me from behind, but it veered off course, likely redirected by Karn, so I ran straight ahead without worrying.
The ‘King’s Branch’ was located at the wall directly ahead. The wall was carved with a Spirit Tree that reached the ceiling, and on either side of the pedestal were Spirit-like statues.
The pedestal, also intricately carved, was draped with a heavy red cloth embroidered with golden threads, cascading down in beautiful folds.
On the lower tier of the pedestal was a crown, and above it, the ‘King’s Branch.’
It was beautiful, delicate, and had black branches that split like coral. As I approached, I noticed fine black cracks running through it. Was its original color white? The branches glimmered faintly, and their color seemed to be white.
Huh, this is really quite different from Ex-Staff, isn’t it?